News

Italy’s F-35A Flies Inaugural European Flight

Cameri, Italy // September 07, 2015

Italy’s first
F-35A Lightning II, known as AL-1 and assembled at the Cameri Final Assembly
and Check Out (FACO) facility, flew for the first time today marking the
program’s first-ever F-35 flight outside the United States.

“The first
flight of AL-1 is a monumental achievement thanks to the hard work and
dedication of our Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi and Lockheed Martin teammates,”
said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin F-35 Program General Manager. “Italy’s
‘primo volo’ (first flight) sets a firm foundation for Italy’s F-35 program and
future opportunities for the Cameri FACO. My heartfelt congratulations to
all who worked tirelessly to bring us to this major international program
milestone.”

Today’s first
flight for AL-1 went as planned. “As expected, the jet performed exceptionally
well and without any surprises,” Gigliotti said. “I’m honored to have
flown AL-1 on its maiden flight and grateful to the Cameri team for providing a
great jet. We look forward to continued successes leading up to aircraft
delivery later this year.”

The Cameri FACO
is owned by the Italian government and operated by Finmeccanica-Alenia
Aermacchi in association with Lockheed Martin. The Cameri FACO’s F-35
production operations began in July 2013 and ‘rolled out’ Italy’s first F-35A
aircraft, AL-1, in March. AL-1’s official delivery to Italy is expected by the
end of the year. The facility will assemble both Italy’s F-35A conventional
takeoff and landing variant and the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing
variant, and is planned to assemble the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s F-35A
aircraft in the future. The F-35A and F-35B will replace Italian Air Force and
Italian Navy AV-8 Harriers, Panavia Tornados and AMX fighters.

In addition to
its responsibility in the operations of the FACO, Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi
also produces the F-35A’s full wing-sets. The work contracted to
Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi, a strategic co-supplier of F-35A full wing
assemblies, is one of the largest manufacturing projects for the Italian F-35
program, with 835 full wing assemblies planned. Finmeccanica participates in
the F-35 program also with Selex ES, responsible for various onboard
electronics.

The F-35
Lightning II, a 5th generation fighter, combines advanced low observable
stealth technology with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor
information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. More than 130
production F-35s have been delivered to customers and have flown more than
38,700 cumulative fleet flight hours, fleet-wide.